"I felt heard and understood and respected"

Five months ago I led the life of a fit and healthy mother and feisty professional woman in what she thought was the prime of life. This was brought to a screeching halt by the diagnosis of ER positive HER2 positive breast cancer with liver and bone metastases.

Unfortunately I have struggled with the side effects of chemotherapy and so have had a lot of contact with the acute oncology team. I have been reflecting on how and why their service has been so effective.

I found myself suddenly and dramatically disabled in many ways. Because my physicality has diminished and I can't work or pursue any meaningful occupation then life has not felt worth living - my identity and raison d'etre have been quashed.

Whilst friends, the community nurse and my own strength of mind have kept me going I have needed more than that and the acute oncology team have provided me with what I needed at exactly the right time in each cycle. The service has felt like a very safe pair of hands. This might not sound like much but from the perspective of someone who has little control in an increasingly challenging situation there is nothing better. To have a consistent, reliable, knowledgeable and reassuring presence is incredibly powerful. Daily phone calls with advice and support have kept me hydrated and hopeful. I have felt heard and understood and respected.

Serious illness can plunge us into a very vulnerable state and for people like me who are alone I feel that GP services are impenetrable, exhausting and unreliable. The fact that the acute oncology team can prescribe and contact GPs is incredibly useful. Their knowledge around chemotherapy has complimented my excellent Oncologists (Dr Stephens) and I have found that the perfect combination. The team is very nurturing, yet manages to be very empowering and dynamic - it models a way of being that all people with cancer aspire to.

I am convinced that the Acute Oncology Service is cost effective as I have avoided several hospital admissions and many GP consultations. My daughters and all those who love me have also benefited as I was ready to give up. The team have kept me believing that I can survive the awfulness of chemotherapy and find purpose in a shortened life which can be useful and filled with joy.